Nature Tourists:Case Study from the Icelandic

Highlands

Gunnþóra Ólafsdóttir, geographerLecture for Nature Based Tourism

April 3rd, 2003

In the absence of an attractive environment, there would be little tourism. Ranging from the basic attractions of sun, sea and sand to the undoubted appeal of historic sites and structures, the environment is the foundation of the tourist industry.

Mathieson & Wall 1982: 97

Experience!

Image

Expectations

Motives

Enjoyment

Perception

? ?

The product is image, ideas and associations. The tourist is like Muhamed, who goes to the mountain: Mountains will scarcely be moved. However the characteristics of the mountain have to be preserved to conjure up Muhamed’s travels. Benediktsson 2000:15

Why do people travel to Iceland?

Icelandic natureThe main motivating factor behind travels to Iceland?

Yes!

‘Natural’ environment

Qu’est-ce que c’est?

Tourist arrivals to Iceland 1972-2000

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

The Icelandic Highland Wilderness

Tourists in Nature Reserves:comparative case study from Fjallabak and

Lónsöræfi Nature Reserves

Study sites

Fjallabak Lónsöræfi

Do these destinations attract different tourists?

How important are the following facilities/ characteristics for you while travelling in this area?

1 2 3 4 5

Picnic places

Designed footpaths

To be able to camp wherever you want

To be able to camp where you don't see others

Walk-ways

Special markings of places of interest

To have few other tourists around

Campsites with facilities

Marked walking routes

To be able to walk without seeing structures

To see no trace of others having been there

That there is no trace of off-road driving

To be able to enjoy peace

To be able to enjoy unspoiled nature

Fjallabak

Lónsöræfi

Not at allimportant

ImportantVery

important

In your oppinion which of the following may be present in an area for it to be considered ‘unspoiled’ nature/wilderness?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Hotel/guesthouses

Damaged natural phenomena

Damaged vegetation

Traces of off-road driving

Electrical power lines

Dams/power plants

Reservoirs

Roads

Fences

Service centers

Designed footpaths

Tracks

Trails made by walkers

Mountain huts

Fjallabak

Lónsöræfi

%

What do you think about the following facilites in the area?

1 2 3 4 5

Power plants

Fences

Gas stations

Hotels/Guesthouses

Shops/restaurants

Bridges across rivers

Built-up gravel roads

Hard surface roads

Gravel roads

Campsites

Mountain huts

Lavatories

Fjallabak

Lónsöræfi

veryunappropriate acceptable

veryappropriate

PuristsUrbanists

The purist scale

,,Neutralists“

Stankey (1976) og Wallsten (1988)

15% Urbanists

67% Neutralists

18% Purists

10% Urbanists

43% Neutralists

46% Purists

Fjallabak Lónsöræfi

Findings

• Looking for unspoilt nature, but...

• Effect of supply on demand

• Implications in regards to planning tourist destinations